A POPULAR Llandudno man is fighting for his life in a Spanish hospital after suffering horrific, but unexplained, injuries.

Dan Lane, 24, from Craig-y-Don, is in the intensive care unit of the main hospital in Palma, Majorca.

His extensive injuries include a fractured skull, fractured spine, smashed ribs and horrific facial damage, including a shattered cheekbone and eye socket.

He faces lengthy surgery and it is thought he will not be able to return home for at least four to six weeks.

But because he is unable to remember what happened to him his family and friends are left wondering how he sustained the devastating injuries. Police in Spain are investigating.

“It’s terrible, he’s in a really bad way and his face is a total mess. He can’t remember what happened. It’s a mystery, the whole thing’s a total nightmare,” said his distraught father Stephen Lane.

Dan had flown out to the island to spend a relaxing holiday with his older brother, also named Stephen, 32, and received his injuries only hours after arriving on Friday.

The brothers had visited bars in the resort of Magaluf before buying chips and sitting on a wall to eat them.

“Stephen got distracted for a minute and then realised Dan had disappeared. He searched for him but couldn’t find him so went back to the hotel thinking he’d be there, but he wasn’t.

“Later in the night there was a banging on the door and police officers were there saying Dan was hurt. They took Stephen to the hospital and he had to wait for five hours while staff worked on Dan to stabilise him.

“He’s in intensive care and his condition is critical. We’re hoping and praying he’ll be OK, but even if he comes through these first days he will be in hospital for weeks and will need major reconstructive surgery on his face,” said dad Stephen.

He and Dan’s mum Lyn, together with his sister Amanda Lane-Williams, flew out to the island as soon as they heard the news and are supporting each other through the ordeal.

Dan’s many friends are rallying around to offer help and support.

Former Ysgol John Bright and Coleg Llandrillo student Dan is described as gentle and funny on the social networking site Facebook, where dozens of messages of support have been posted.

A keen motor rally competitor as co-driver for his brother in law Meirion Williams, Dan works as a product supervisor at Fibre Associates in Mochdre where a workmate said they were all praying for him.

Meanwhile Dan’s dad has warned other young people to be on their guard when they holiday abroad: “Dan and Stephen had been to Magaluf before and thought it was safe but it shows you have to be careful wherever you go not to wander off the beaten track.

“We don’t know what happened to Dan but it seems he may have gone off on his own and been set upon.

“I wouldn’t like other families to go through what we’re going through,” he said.